Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab has unveiled plans to build an orbital launch site on Kaitorete Spit in the Canterbury region of South Island, New Zealand.

The company will use the facility to launch its Electron vehicle, for delivering small satellites into low Earth orbit.

Said to be world’s first commercial launch site, it will also facilitate the lifting off of imaging and communications satellites.

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said: "At present, the lead-times for satellite launches are years, and small satellite companies cannot reach orbit in timeframes that keep their businesses competitive.

"With the launch frequency possible from this site, Rocket Lab is one major step closer to its goal of making space commercially accessible."

The company said that it selected New Zealand due to technical, logistical and economic advantages.

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"New Zealand’s access to high inclination and sun-synchronous orbits are ideal for small satellites."

The location was previously used by Nasa for suborbital flights, and can reach a wide range of inclinations from sun-synchronous through to 45°.

"New Zealand’s access to high inclination and sun-synchronous orbits are ideal for small satellites," Beck added.

"Operational logistics are made easier due to New Zealand’s minimal air and sea traffic, which enables a significantly more frequent launch rate and economies of scale."

Planned for completion in the fourth quarter of the year, the launch facility will initially conduct the first test flight of the Electron vehicle.

Powered by Rocket Lab’s Rutherford engines, Electron is a carbon-composite vehicle with a lift-off mass of 10,500kg, capable of delivering payloads of up to 100kg to a 500km sun-synchronous orbit.

Rocket Lab plans to make the Kaitorete Spit its primary launch site and is currently evaluating complementary locations in New Zealand.

The company has established sites in the US to meet demand from its customers.

Image: An artist’s impression of Rocket Lab’s launch site. Photo: courtesy of Rocket Lab Ltd.